Power-transmitting means



y 1930. .J. L. CREVELING 1,769,110

POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS Original Filed May 22, 1924 n v s I v IIIIIIII E INVENTOR v Patented July 1, 1930 UNITED STATESIPATENTI OFFICE I JOHN I4. CREVELING, OF ORACLE, ARIZONA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SIMPLEX EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE POWER-TRANSMITTING MEANS Application filed May 22, 1924, Serial No. 715,079. Renewedlfay 6, 1930.

.My invention pertains to that class of power transmitting means wherein it is desired'to transmit rotary motion from one member to another, the relative relationship of which may be considered as floating.

My invention has for a more specific object to unite two shafts in power transmitting relation, which shafts are at an angle to each other and in different planes; and provides a means whereby this is simply and effectively accomplished even though the angular relationship of the driving shaft and the driven shaft be constantly changing and these two members assuming an infinite number of relative positions, as will hereinafter he more fully explained.

As my invention is particularly applicable as a means for connecting a dynamo or generator carried upon the body of a railway car with an axle of said car so as to be driven thereby, it will be described with particular reference to such an application.

In the'drawing, Fig. I is a side elevation of one form. of device comprehending my invention, indicated as applied to a railway car, for the purpose above set forth, and portrays only such portions of the said car as are necessary to indicate the application of my invention thereto, Fig. II is a section of the majorportion of my invention, shown applied to a car axle, which axle, for the sake of plainness in illustration, is shown as revolved ninety degrees from the position occupied in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a section and partial elevation of a portion of a shaft such as may be employed in the use of my invention.

Fig. IV is a side elevation of a modifica tion that may be made in the arrangement of the generator shown in Fig. I.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. I and II, 1 represents a wheel of an ordinary car truck, adapted to run upon the rail 2, and provided with the axle 3, united with another similar wheel not shown. 4

represents one of the longitudinal sills of.

the car carried uponthe usual trucks, in a manner well-known in the art. 5 is a sleeve fixed upon the axle 3 and may be split, if desired, and clamped thereupon as by means of bolts 6. This sleeve has resting thereupon, in suitable bearings as shown in Fig. II, a shell or housing member indicated at 7, while the under-slung shell portion or member 8 is united thereto as by means of flanges and bolts indicated at 9; these two mem-' bers being adapted to permit the rotation of the sleeve 5 therein, as indicated plainly in Fig. II. Upon the upper shell member 7 there is placed a cap or housing 10 which is held in place as by the nuts 12 and which is free to rotate about the axis of the said nuts owing to the rotatable joint formed upon the line 11. 13 is a shaft connected to be driven by the axle 3, as will hereinafter be explained, and extending through and free to move longitudinally'within the hollow shaft 14 of the dynamo or generator 15, While the said shaft 13 and the hollow armature shaft 14 are provided with any of the usual means whereby the shaft 13 may be longitudinally moved through the shaft 14-;

while the generator is rotatable in a vertical plane, within reasonable limits, on account of its pivotal hanging in the yoke 17. And, 1

therefore, it will be obvious that the generator may besreadily rotated in any direction to maintain alignment of the shaft 13 and the armature shaft 14. The shell 7 has made integrally therewith a strong and heavy web, indicated at 22 in Fig. II, provided with a cylindrical portion indicated in section which carries, fixedly mounted therein, a stub-shaft or stud having-a portion 23 tightly ,fitting within the cylindrical por-- tion of the web 22 where it may be held by any suitable means, as for example the nut shown. The said stud has a slightly expanded portion 33 which carries the doublefaced bevel gear indicated in section at 24, provided on one side with teeth 25 engaging therewith. The gear 24 is also provided] with the bevel teeth 29 engaging theteeth 30 of the pinion 31-, fixed upon the shaft 13 and revolvable within the sleeve 32. The gear 24 may be held in place upon the portion 33 of the shaft by any suitable means, as for example the nut indicated at 28. The upper and somewhat contracted poltion 34 of the said shaft passes through the closefitting opening in the internal boss 35 of the housing or upper shell 10, in such manner as to permit the said housing 10 to revolve thereabout, while the said housing is held upon the housing 7 by means'of the nuts 12. The upper part of the housing 7 has an annular flange 37 over whichlaps the annular flange 38 of the member 10, so that when the members are assembled, as shown in Fig. II, the shaft'" 13 and the housing 10 may revolve about the stub-shaft carried .by the housing 7 while the shaft 13, housing 10, housing .7 and housing 8, as assembled, may all be revolved in a vertical plane about the sleeve or bushing 5 so long as'the gear 24, pinion 31 and shaft 13 are free to rotate.

In Fig. III, 39 represents a shaft having an expanded, tubular, portion 40,. intowhich is fitted the member 41 forming an extension of the shaft 42. Member 41 is indicated as square and freely movable, within certain limits, in a longitudinal direction within the square bore of the expanded portion 40. Therefore, when 39 is revolved, the shaft 42 will revolve therewith, though the shaft 39 ,may be moved longitudinally without any effect upon the shaft 42; and it will be obvious that a similar arrangement may be used for uniting the shaft 13 with the hollow shaft 14 of the dynamo 15, as indicated in Fig. I, though'the particular means whereby the shafts 13 and 14 are united to perform as specified above, in and of itself, forms no part of my present invention.

In Fig. IV the dynamo 15 is shown as provided with lugs 43 whereby it may be rigidly attached in any suitable manner to the under-framing of the car, in case it be desired to have a rigid means for carrying the generator. 44 represents an ordinary universal joint connected with a shaft 42, as

indicated in Fig. III.

An operation of my invention is substantially as follows:

Motion of the car will cause revolution of the wheel 1 and its axle 3, together with the sleeve 5 and the main gear 27 the teeth 26 of which, by meshing with the teeth 25, will cause the idle gear 24 to revolve and the teeth 29 of the said idle gear engaging the teeth 30 of the pinion 31 will cause the said pinion and the shaft 13 to revolve. Revolution of the shaft 13 will cause'the generais in motion. If the axle 3 move either upwardly or downwardly in a vertical plane, .the generator 15 of Fig. I will simply be slightly rotated within the yoke 17 and the housing comprising members 7, 8 and 10 will be slightly revolved in a vertical plane about the center of the axle 3, and shaft 13 will move slightly in a longitudinal direction within the hollow shaft 14. If the axle 3 be moved in a horizontal plane, the housing 10 will revolve slightly, as at the joint 11, upon the housing 7, and the dynamo 15 and yoke 17 will revolve slightly about the stud 21, while the shaft 13 will be moved slightly in a longitudinal direction within the shaft 14. Therefore, it will be noted that the car axle 3 is free to follow all the movements to which it is subjected in practice without in any way changing its driving relation with respect to the generator, inasmuch 'as the necessary relations of the rotated parts will be preserved regardless of the position of the axle 3 within the limits such an axle can move when occupying its usual position in the so-called bogie truck.

It will further be obvious that in place of the hollow shaft 14 of Fig. I, the generator may be provided with a shaft 42, as shown in Fig. III, which may be provided with a portion 41 movable within the portion 40 of the shaft 39 which may be connected with the pinion 31 of Fig. II, and substantially the same operation carried out as described with respect to Fig. I; or, if it be desired to have the dynamo rigidly attached to the body of the car, the structure of Fig. IV may be employed and the universal joint 44 will act as a substitute for the universal generator suspension shown in Fig. I.

The various 0 parts within the housing members upon the axle, as well as the bearings for the said housing, may be lubricated by an oil bath, as indicated within the lower shell or housing member 8, while the oil may be drained at any time desired as by means of the'plug 36.

In the drawing I have shown the double 1 lubricated, and easily kept free from the v interference of dirt, cinders and foreign matter such as have to be contended with in practice, and that I have caused the generator mounted upon the car-body to be foperatively connected with the car axle 3,

in such manner as to be properly driven therebyregardless of the position occupied by the axle, within the limits of railway practice, without interference with proper operative relations ofthe parts-and without the use of so-called universal joints commonly used for this purpose, and have shown means whereby if it be desired to mount the generator rigidly upon the carbody it may be driven by means of a shaft and one universal joint only, as the arrangement of my gearing upon the axle provides all the flexibility usually provided in this type of apparatus by a second universal joint working under adverse conditions, and the suppression of which is one of the objects of my invention.

I do not here limit myself in any way to any of the details of construction or modes of operation outlined above merely to explain and illustrate embodiments of my invention, for it will be obvious that wide departure may be made both in structure and mode of operation without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention which-is as set forth in the following claims:

. l. The combination with a floating caraxle and a gear revolving therewith, of a -gear driven by the first-named gear and rotating in a plane substantially at right-angles to the plane of revolution of the firstnamed gear, a pinion driven by said second-named gear, a dynamo driven by said pinion and means for holding the gears and pinion in operative relation to each other and permitting free revolution of the pinion around the axis of rotation of the secondnamed gear.

2. The combination with a floating caraxle and a gear revolving therewith, of a gear structure driven thereby and rotating in a plane substantially at right-angles to the plane of revolution of the first-named gear, a pinion driven by said gear structure, a dynamo driven thereby and means for hold ng the gear, gear structure and pinion in operative relation to each other and permitting free revolution of thepinion around the axis of rotation of the gear structure.

3. The combination with a car having a bogie truck, of a dynamo carried by the body portion of said car and having an armature, meshed gear driven power-transmittin means connecting an axle of said truck with the dynamo armature, including instrumentalities affected by the relation of said dynamo and axle with respect to each other and by said affecting preserving operative relationof the armature and car-axle throughout their relative displacement incident to the operation of said car.

4. The combination with a car having a bogie truck, of a dynamo carried by the body portion of said car, and movable with relation thereto, meshed gear driven powertransmitting means connecting an axle of said truck with the dynamo and moving said dynamo to preserve the operative relation of the dynamo and car-axle throughout their relative displacement incident to the operation of said car.

5. The combination with a car having a bogie truck, of a dynamo carried by the body portion of said car and having an armature power-transmitting means connecting an axle of said truck with the dynamo armature comprising a rigid armature drivingshaft concentric with said armature and operative gears directly connecting the shaft withthe said axle, said instrumentalities being so arranged with respect to each other that the operative relation of the armature and car-axle is preserved throughout their relative displacement incident to the operation of said car. 1 j

6. The combination with a car; having a bogie truck, of a dynamo carried by the" body portion of said car, power-transmitting means connecting an axle of said truck with the dynamo and preserving the op- 7 The combination with a car-axle and a gear rotating therewith, a dynamo and means for suspending the same permitting motion thereof in a plurality of planes, of a rigid shaft operatively connected with said dynamo and adapted to operate the same and determine the position thereof, a gear 1n operative relation to said shaft adapted to \rotate the same, and intervening means for connecting said gear with said first-named gear permitting displacement of said axle in a, plurality of planes while maintaining operative relation with respect to both of the aforesaid gears.

8. The combination with a car-axle-and a gear rotated therewith, a dynamo, means for suspending the same permitting motion thereof in a plurality of planes, a rigid shaft connected with said dynamo and adapted to operate the same and determining the position thereof, a gear in operative relation to said shaft adapted to rotate the same, power-transmitting means for conne'cting said gear. with said first-named gear and means permitting displacement of said axle in a plurality of planes and 'maintainmg its operative relation with respect to both of the aforesaid gears and power-' transmitting means.

9. The comblnatlon with a car-axle and a gear mounted to revolve therewith, of a,

the bearing member about the axis of the first-named member.

10. The combination with a car-axle and a gear mounted upon the same to revolve therewith, a housing for said gear revolvably mounted upon said axle carrying a shaft in a plane parallel to said gear and a p bearing member free to revolve about the axis of said shaft, a shaft in the bearing member, a gear for driving the same, and means for operatively connecting this gear with the first-mentioned gear the operative connection of which is unaffected by revolution of the bearing member and its shaft about the axis of the first-named shaft.

11. The combination with a car having a bogie truck, a body portion revolvably mounted thereupon, a dynamo carried by said body portion" and a gear carried by a portion of said truck and moving therewith with respect to the body portion, of

means operatively connecting said gear with the dynamo throughout changes in the relative position of said truck and said dynamo incident to the operation of said car, including a gear affected by such changes to preserve the operative relationship between said first-namedgearand the dynamo.

12. In dynamo driving mechanism, the combination with adriving member and a member of a dynamo to be driven. thereby, of power transmitting means causing a meshed gear connection between said members and permitting free displacement of saidmembers with respect to each other in all planes and affecting one thereof to maintairi an operative relation between said members. i a J 13. In dynamo driving mechanism, the combination with a driving member and a member of a dynamo to be driven thereby, of power transmitting means connecting said members and permitting free displacement of said members with respect to each other in all planes, and including a tooth geared connection maintaining the operative relation of the said members throughout said displacement by afiecting oneof said mem: bers.

14c. The combination with a car axle and a dynamo carried bya portion of the car in movable relation to said axle, of a driving another plane, a-shaft rotatably carried in said portion, a gear in said housing for rotating said shaft and driving means connecting said first-mentioned gear with the lastmentioned gear preserving an operative driving connection throughout relative rotationof the axle and housing and throughout relilative rotation of said portion in said other ane.

16. The combination with a floating car axle and a gear mounted upon and revolving therewith, of a housing for said gear in rotatable relation to the axle in a certain plane and having a portion rotatable with respect to said axle in another plane, a shaft rotatablycarried in said portion, a gear for rotating said shaft and positive driving means connecting said first-mentioned gear with the last-mentioned gear preserving an operative driving connection therebetween throughout rotation of the axle with respect to the housing and throughout rotation of said portion with respect to said axle.

17. The combination with a car axle and a gear mounted to revolve therewith, of a housing for said gear in rotatable relation to the axle in a certain plane and having a portion rotatable with respect to said axle in another plane, a shaft rotatably carried in said portion, a gear in said housing for rotating said shaft and driving means connecting said first-mentioned gear with the. last-mentionedgear preserving an operative driving connection throughout relative rotation of theaxle and housing and throughout relative rotation of said portion in said other plane, said relative rotations being effected by said shaft.

18. The combination with a car body, a bogie truck, a dynamo carried by said body, agear carried by a portion of the truck and driven from an axle thereof and having its tatable with respect to said first-named member about an axis at an angle to the axis of revolution of the first=named member.

19. The combination with a car body, a bogie truck, a dynamo carried by said body, a gear carried by a portion of the truck and driven'from an axle thereof and having its relation with respect to the car body changing during operation of the car, of means operatively connecting said dynamo with said gear comprehending a gear for driving the dynamo, means operatively con necting said gear with the first-named gear and means for maintaining said gears and connecting means in operative driving relation throughout movement of said first-' named gear with respect to thecar body comprising a member rotatable about the axis of the first-named gear and another member rotatable with respect to said first-named member about an axis at an angle to the axis of revolution of the first-named member, said members having their relative positions controlled in accordance with the relative positions of the axle and generator to preserve the driving relationship therebetween.

20. The combination with a car body, a bogie truck, a dynamo carried by said body, a gear'carried by a portion of the truck and driven from an axle thereof and hav ing its relation with respect to the car body changing during operation of the car, of means operatively connecting said dynamo with said gear comprehending a gear for driving the dynamo, means operatively connecting said gear with the first-named gear and means for maintaining said gears and connecting means in operative driving relation throughout movement of said firstnamed gear with respect to the car body comprising a member rotatable with respect to said first-named member about an axis at an agle to the axis of revolution of the first-named member, said members having their relative positions controlled in accordance with the relative positionsof the axle and generator to preserve the driving relationship therebetween and forming a housing for protecting the gears and driving operation of the car, of means operative- 1 erative drivin ing connection.

21. The combination with a car having a body and a bogie truck, a dynamo carried by said body, a gear carried by and driven from an axle of the truck and having its relation w1th respect to the car body changing durly connecting said dynamo with said ear comprehending an armature driving s aft and a gear for driving the same, means operatively connecting said gear with the first-named gear, and means for. maintaining said gears and connecting means in oprelation throughout movement of said rst-named gear with respect to the car body comprising a member rotatable about the axis of the first-named gear and another member rotatable with respect to said first-named member about an axis at an angle to the axis of revolution of the firstnameol member, said members having their relative positions controlled in accordance with the relative positions of the axle and generator to preserve the driving relationship therebetween.

22. The combination with a bogie truck, a dynamo, a gear carried by and driven from an axle of the truck and having its position with respect to the dynamo changing at an angle to the axis of revolution of the first-named member, said members having their relative positions controlled in accordance with the relative positions of the axle and generator to preserve the driving relationship therebetween- 23. The. combination with a bogie truck, a dynamo, a gear carried by and driven from an axle of the truck and having its position with respect to the dynamo changing during operation of the car, of means operatively connecting said dynamo with said gear comprehending an armature driving shaft and a gear for driving the same, means operatively connecting said gear with the first-named gear, and means for maintaining said gears and connecting means in operative driving relation throughout movement. of said first-named gear with respect to the dynamo comprising a member rotatable about the axis of the first-named gear and another member rotatable with respect to said first-named member about an axis at an angle to the axis of revolution of the first-named member, said members having JOHN L. CREVELING. 

